Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Terri Donner, an employee with UPS since 1989 who made history by the first mother-son flight under FAA Part 121 between Louisville and Chicago in June 2018, has been named to the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame in Lexington.
This honor recognizes a life of achievement for Donner and her support for women as aviation professionals. She obtained her private pilot license at 17, commercial and instructor licenses at 20, and multi-engine aircraft pilot license when 21 years old. She has applied these personal accomplishments by mentoring aspiring women pilots through the International Organization of Women Pilots (The Ninety-Nines) and candidates for its Amelia Earhart Scholarship. Donner’s other professional memberships include the International Society of Women Airline Pilots and Women in Aviation International.
Donner’s career at UPS began as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727 and progressed through to first officer for the type. When the 727 was retired, Donner moved up to the Airbus A300 aircraft in 2007.
Donner is part of the 25th Enshrinement class into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame. Other honorees are Dr. Ben Malphrus of the Spaces Sciences program at Morehead State University, recognized for his leadership of the program and his expertise in astronomy; and Dr. Wilma Walker, professor emeritus of Eastern Kentucky University, where she developed Kentucky’s only four-year Aviation undergraduate degree. The Aviation Achievement Award will be received by Atlas Air, for its commitment to Kentucky-based operations and growth.
Due to the interruptions caused by COVID public health restrictions, a formal induction ceremony will be held at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington on November 13, 2021.
